Determination of range suitability for different purpose is essential for sustainable development. In this study to determine the part of rangeland suitability for apiculture, Three sub-models including physical and environmental factors, vegetative covering, recovering pests and enemies, were made for final model. The study was conducted according to F. A. O (1991) method, In Asal Asal, Arou, Namak koosar rangeland of Lar watershed. According to results of sub-models 40/05% of area was high suitable (S1), 9/08% was moderately suitable (S2) and 37/74% was poor suitable for apiculture. The most important limiting factors for suitability were temperature, range degradation. The effective factors to suitability were the desirable plants for bees and water source distribution, roads, and the lack of enemies and pests.

Rrecently, rangeland multiple use has been found to be one of the primary solutions to alleviate livestock grazing pressure while improving stakeholder's welfare and per capita income and sustainable management and development. Beekeeping in rangeland as a profitable approach and one of multiple use components in upper Taleghan basin and Saman Orfi of Narian, Dizan and Mehran were studied. The present study was aimed to determine beekeeping suitability as well as ecological and social issues. According to permanent standards and resource sites priority for comprising of these Samans Orfi reserves 4 criteria to be considered such as vegetation, environmental, physical and social issues. These criteria are included overall 14 sub criteria. So Multi-Criteria Decision Making Methods (MCDM) has used because of problem complexity. The hierarchical formed in the 4 levels that is purpose, criteria, sub criteria and options. One of the criteria were qualitative. For accessing logical results, we benefit specialist cooperation. The results showed that social problem are more important than the other criteria in priority. Also, final results of Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) indicated that Saman Orfi Narian, and Mehran and Dizin were fall into first to third priorities respectively.

Rangeland evaluation is defined as identification and assessmnet of actual and potential production in order tohave a sustainable utilization ofthisvaluable resource. One of the important indirect applications in multiple uses of rangelands is apiculture. In this study, site priority for apiculture was investigated in rangelands of Ghareh Aghach at Semirom in order to have a sustainable utilization of these rangelands. Suitability model for apiculture was formed from integration of three criterias of vegetation cover, environmental factors and water resources availability using FAO method (1991) and Geographic Information System. Afterward, priority of the vegetation types for apiculture was determined through AHP method. Samples were randomly collected along threetransects of two hundred meters longin each vegetation type. Presence and absence cover percentage, diversity and vegetation composition of pollen and nectar plants were measured using 1m2 quadrates. To determine the priority of the factors, question sheets were used. The results of priority indicated that apiculture suitability of the vegetation types was different. According to the results, index weight of vegetation cover factor (0.687) was more than that of environmental factors (0.244) and water resource availability (0.069). As.ad-Ag.tr-Da.mu and Co.ba-As.sp vegetation types with a weight of 0.092 showed the highest priority in terms of apiculturalwhileAg.tr with a weight of 0.028 had the lowest priority among vegetation types. Generally, the results of apiculture model showed that 29% of land units (vegetation type) was classified as high suitable (S1), 59% with moderate suitability (S2), 6% with low suitability (S3) and 6% non suitable for apiculture. Considering the suitability and priority areas for apiculture is very important in improvement of range condition.

The objective of this research was presenting a case model for determining of range suitability of Taleghan region for sustainable bee keeping activities. After considering the factors affecting range suitability for beekeeping, final suitability map was created by using the suggested method of FAO and GIS software. Random sampling was done in vegetation types, using 30 (1´1m) quadrates along three 200m long transect. Investigation on quality and characteristics of rangelands showed that three sub models of vegetation cover (flowering period, the rate of attractiveness of plants and vegetation cover percent), environmental factors (roads and access roads to vegetation, elevation, temperature and soil characteristics) and hydrology (water resources) played the main role in the determination of range suitability for bee keeping. Decreasing of nectar or pollen in the vegetation cover, an existence of low quality plants (classes III and IV) along with the shortage of flowering period, poor soil conditions and lack of roads in some vegetation types were among the most limiting factors of range suitability for bee keeping in the study area. In contrast, suitable distribution of water resources, elevation and temperature increased the rangelands suitability for bee keeping. According to our results from 37977.2 hectares of studied rangelands, 235 hectares (0.61%) classified as S1 of suitability (without limitation for bee keeping), 7798 hectares (20.53%) classified as S2 class (with limitation), 9961 hectares (26.29%) classified as S3 class (with high limitation), and 8861 hectares (23.33%) classified as N class (non suitable). Generally, 21% of the area had an acceptable score as excellent suitability for bee keeping.

The objective of this research was presenting a case model for determining of range suitability of central Taleghan region for sustainable bee keeping activities. After considering the factors affecting range suitability for beekeeping, final suitability map was created by using the suggested method of FAO and GIS software. Random sampling was done in vegetation types, using 30 (1×1m) quadrates along three 200m long transect. Investigation on quality and characteristics of rangelands showed that three sub models of vegetation cover (flowering period, the rate of attractiveness of plants and vegetation cover percent), environmental factors (roads and access roads to vegetation, elevation, temperature and soil characteristics) and hydrology (water resources) played the main role in the determination of range suitability for bee keeping. Decreasing of nectar or pollen in the vegetation cover, an existence of low quality plants (classes III and IV) along with the shortage of flowering period, poor soil conditions and lack of roads in some vegetation types were among the most limiting factors of range suitability for bee keeping in the study area. In contrast, suitable distribution of water resources, elevation and temperature increased the rangelands suitability for bee keeping. According to our results from 37977.2 hectares of studied rangelands, 235 hectares (0.61%) classified as S1 of suitability (without limitation for bee keeping), 7798 hectares (20.53%) classified as S2 class (with limitation), 9961 hectares (26.29%) classified as S3 class (with high limitation),and 8861 hectares (23.33%) classified as N class (non suitable). Generally, 21% of the area had an acceptable score as excellent suitability for bee keeping.

In order to determine attractiveness of plants for honeybees and setting beekeeping calendar, an area about 4600 ha, in Polour range lands was studied. The limitation of the region specified on the topographic map (scale: 1:50000). The representative site selected by asking from beekeepers. Regular visits were carried out in flowering period of plants. The plants which used by honeybees were identified with the methods of direct observation. At last 32 plants from 27 geniuses and 15 families were identified wich were used by honeybee. For determining the attractiveness of plants using by honeybees, time and number of standing of honey bees on each plant measured in 8 stages, 3 times in a day in 3 days interval, in 5 minutes and fix 100 area of canopy cover of plants. By combining the two factors (time and number), attractiveness index determined. So, the plants classified in 5 groups: 6 had excellent attractiveness, 7 good, 6 fair, 7 poor and 6 were very poor. In order to set beekeeping calendar, the score of plants were multiplied in canopy cover combination. At last the total score of these plants were computed in their flowering period. According to the flowering period of plants, the stages of flowering periods of honeybee plants that have large numbers of attractive plants were determined as the time of moving beekeepers to Polour region. This time was from first 10 days of June to first 10 days of September.

This study was conducted to evaluate the production conditions of beekeeping units and determine the efficiency of the units, estimating the Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) of the apiaries in Khorramabad city and evaluating the management and honey production function of these units. This study was carried out in 116 farmsteads in Khorramabad city during 2017. The data collection method was face to face interviews and questionnaires. Data on production functions were estimated by Cobb Douglas functions and technical efficiency by Stochastic Frontier Analysis (SFA) method. The results showed that per capita honey production per hive in Khorramabad city was 8. 23 kg. In terms of the cost of inputs were in beekeeping, the cost of renting a garden and ranch 16. 28%, the work and keeping of bees 15. 05%, of sugar 24. 92%, the migration 22. 07%, the cost of buying wax 17. 52%, the cost of medicine and treatment 1. 19% and miscellaneous expenses 2. 97%, respectively. The average technical, allocative and economic efficiency was 62. 1, 57. 7 and 54. 6%, respectively, that indicating significant potential of the units in increasing their efficiencies. The results of honey production function showed that the number of migrations per year and the amount of consuming sugar in the apiaries with the coefficients (0. 347 and 0. 322) had the highest effect on honey production (P<0. 01). The results showed that most apiaries in Khorramabad city due to lack of observance of economic principles in management, lack of knowledge of the factors affecting the production had low efficiency. Among beneficiaries of the three technical efficiency, allocative and economic efficiency were for economic efficiency major difference. Generally, in order to develop the beekeeping industry in further, the implementation of the honey guaranteed rate, the relative stability of sugar price, the creation of more security at the colony's premises, the availability of more bank credits, the formation of beekeepers guild, the creation of domestic markets and exports for beekeepers and production insurance is needed.

Background and objectives: As one of the most important systems of human life, the forest has an undeniable place in ensuring the well-being and comfort of humans. Based on the forest strategy of Global Bank, it is mentioned that More than 1.6 billion People in the world depend on the forest in various ways to provide their livelihood. A common political debate about development and the environment is that the poor are both the cause and the victim of environmental destruction. The interpretation of this narrative for the forest shows it shows that the reduction of poverty can reduce the pressure on forest resources and the preservation and development of forest resources can help reduce poverty. Accordingly, in this research, the condition of the forests of Shafarood watershed in Gilan province for The implementation of two income-generating activities of apiculture and aquaculture, in order to create economic prosperity for rural communities and other beneficiaries dependent on the forests of this area, and at the same time preserving these forests based on the prioritization of criteria and sub criteria.Materials and methods: Shafarood basin with an area of 36,657 hectares is located in the west of Gilan province, between the cities of Rezvanshahr and Pare-Sar and east of Talash highlands. In order to determine the appropriate economic use of rural communities in Shafarood forest and to identify the main criteria for each of the desired economic activities, observation, interview and questionnaire techniques were used from 55 experts which are selected randomly. In the current research, a questionnaire was used in three stages to complete the process, and the data obtained from the questionnaires related to criteria and sub-criteria were analyzed by the method of pairwise comparisons, which were use the GIS software in order to obtain the optimal spatial map of each economic activity.Results: According to the results, in the apiculture, the criteria of plant diversity, temperature, and the number of trees per hectare, and in the aquaculture, the criteria of distance from the river, distance from the spring, and temperature were recognized as the most important factors for the development of these chains. Based on the opinion of experts for apiculture, the sub-criteria of humid climate with a final score of 0.03 had the highest score while the high investment capacity and the distance from dirt roads, both with a final score of 0.24 0 were also important. For the aquaculture, humid climate sub-criteria with a final score of 0.03 was the most important and the high investment capacity with a final score of 0.029 and a distance of less than 500 meters from the river with a final score of 0.026 were in the second and third place. The results also showed that 22.13% of the entire area (8063.31 hectares) and 14.41% of the entire area (5249.9 hectares) can be used for apiculture and aquaculture, respectively. The results can be used for economic development in Shafarood forests.Conclusion: According to the findings of this research in relation to the effective criteria and also the rural population present in this watershed, a relatively suitable area for each economic activity is determined. It is necessary for the forest managers to develop the rural communities based on finding the other sources of income from forest which should be paid attention to it.

Beekeeping on rangelands is considered as a key approach for sustaining pastoral livelihood and reducing pressure on grazing lands. Previous studies are mostly focused on the ecological contributors of apiculture and the social criteria are not treated in much detail. The current research, therefore, uses the case of Sarayan Arid Rangelands in northeast Iran to examine the importance of social capital in adaptation of beekeeping as a pastoral livelihood diversification strategy. Through a random sampling procedure, 180 herders were selected in the study area. Questionnaires were used to collect data on trusts, collaboration, and solidarity as the main determinants of social capital and also herders' interests in beekeeping. Stepwise linear regression method was employed to estimate the relation between herders' interest in beekeeping and their social capital. The results show that about 33% in variance of motivation on beekeeping as a livelihood diversification strategy could be explained by the cooperation, trust, and solidarity among the rangeland users. Therefore, it is vital to introduce policies and measures to support collaboration and social networks among the rangeland users.

In order to determine the attractiveness of plants for apiculture, an area was selected in the summer rangelands of Freidan region. To identify the plants and determine the apicultural potential, sampling was conducted randomly along three transects of 200 m and 30 plots when 10-20% of dominant species were in the flowering stage. The attractivity index (AI) of each plant was determined by direct observation of the films taken from the study area, and averaging the number of bees and the time each bee spent on the flowers. The attractivity index (AI) of plant species was determined using ordination method, classified in four classes as excellent, good, fair and poor. Our results showed that a high number of visitor bees and a high time spent on species were the common characteristics of the plants classified in the class I. In the study area, Compositae, Labiatae, Umbelifera, and Cruciferae were the most important plant families used by bees. Of the 88 species in the region, 70 species, forming the dominant vegetation cover of poor rangelands, are used by bees.